The names Saadi and Rafa shouldn’t be unknown to local musicians and enthusiasts. Playing music, creating chaos and contributing actively to the underground scenario for around 10 years, the duo-brothers have definitely been through plenty of hard times and sweet memories. The story of Saadi, proclaimed as one of the finest guitarists among young musicians and Rafa, an ambitious, fast drummer didn’t happen overnight and neither without difference in opinions. For the first time, RS gets up, close and personal with the two brothers on their musical endeavours.
RS: How did you guys first get introduced to the music scene?
Saadi: During the initial years at medical college, a few friends and I had a hard-rock band named Blitz. It didn’t work out till the end of college as we all took different directions. Around that time, I got heavily influence by metal and formed a thrash-metal band, Inferno. Rafa was pretty good with his drums and we even got into a concert at Engineering Institute. However, Rafa then suddenly faced some problems with his leg and was semi-paralyzed for a while; so we performed with a different drummer. I faced some difficulties in maintaining this band and so, left it. Later, around 2002, we decided to form Kral with Rafa on drums, our cousin Aldnane on bass and myself, on guitars.
RS: Kral has been a more-or-less stable band since then. Tell us about the difficulties you faced with Kral over the years.
Saadi: Kral was a 3-member band, so obviously, we had crisis of a decent vocalist and keyboardist. Our first shows were without any keys, while Amit was our vocalist. At the first concert at RCC, the crowd didn’t favour us at all.
Rafa: During that time, I played for Psychokinesis. After a while, Imtiaz joined and we performed at some concerts. Thankfully, we received a good response and were encouraged to continue with the band. Nowfel joined as keyboardist, and finally, Kral was a complete band.
RS: Rafa has been known to play several instruments and has made his mark among as a talented young musician. How have you evolved as such?
Rafa: I learnt singing and tabla as a kid. Saadi Bhaia has tried to teach me guitar back then and I was never very easy to handle; so he gave up. Later, under the influence of the band Aqua, I finally started picking up on a guitar and Bhaia helped immensely with the chords. I remember going to a gig at Indian Cultural Centre and was impressed by the drummers. I didn’t know much about drums, but challenge of playing double bass fast made me work hard to master it. I easily picked Dream Theatre numbers on drums. Later, my attention shifted to bass. I also had a small keyboard, so I worked on that as well. In short, a lot of instruments and a lot of things were happening at the same time. On joining Aurthohin, I got interested in sound engineering and have learnt it too.
Saadi: I always had faith in my brother’s capabilities and I believe music is inside him. He is, however, still evolving as a musician.
RS: What are your upcoming and current projects?
Saadi: I’m a guitarist of Kral and Neverland. Kral is working on its debut full-length album.
Rafa: I’m drumming for Kral and Severe Dementia and working with Aurthohin and Dripping Gore on vocal and guitar. As part of Severe Dementia, an EP Epitaph of Plassey was recently released from an Indian record label soon. We also toured India in April. We believe the EP contains brutal drumming and extreme music, so we’re very hopeful about it.
RS: Anything on the current underground scenario?
Rafa: The underground music scene is a big place now. Personally, I veto taking money from bands for letting them perform or forcing them to sell tickets. The bands have trouble doing music already. With lots of new bands coming up and a mixture of good and bad, many things are going on. Music isn’t hard, so take time before you jump. You just need to work hard before you hit the shows.
RS: Apart from music, what else are you guys doing? What about the support from friends and family?
Rafa: I’m doing my A levels now. I’m very thankful to my friends for their support and to my more mature critics, for always giving me a reason to try harder.
Saadi: I’m a jobholder at Bangladesh Medical College and Hospital. I was encouraged by my family and friends, so I’m grateful to them.
Published in February 2007 in Rising Stars
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